DENVER (AFP) – Arturi Likonen, Andrew Cogliano and Alex Newhawk scored in opposition to former teammate Darcy Kuemper and stopped a rookie Colorado Avalanche over the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Tuesday night time to present coach Jared Bednar his 266th victory.
Logan O’Connor added two assists, Nathan McKinnon an help for his 700th level, whereas Alexander Georgiev made 37 saves for a season-best sixth straight victory for the Avs. They moved into third place within the Central Division, one level forward of Minnesota.
Bednar, who coached his five hundredth recreation with Colorado, improved to 266-185-49 and handed former Quebec Nordiques coach Michel Bergeron for probably the most teaching wins in franchise historical past.
“I am glad I am right here and gone so we will cease speaking about it,” Bednar stated. “We did not play our greatest recreation tonight, so I am glad we managed to get the 2 factors.”
Alex Ovechkin returned from harm to attain his thirty first purpose for Washington. Connor Cherry additionally scored and Comber stopped 23 pictures in his first recreation in Denver since serving to the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in June.
The gang stood and applauded after a first-half video of Quimper, who received 37 common season video games and ten extra within the playoffs.
Avs selected to not re-sign Kuemper, who then signed a five-year take care of The Capitals in July.
“It was very troublesome,” a choked Comber stated of the tribute. “There have been a number of combined emotions. It was very particular to be again.”
He had his moments in opposition to his former crew, together with a neat glove save in opposition to Jacob McDonald and Lekkonen within the second interval to maintain the sport by one purpose. However a Newhawk purpose with 4:21 left within the second made it 3-1.
The looted Capitals dominated the third interval however misplaced for the fifth time in seven video games as Georgiev made a number of saves.
“It was a extremely good stretch of protection for us,” stated Georgiev.
Ovechkin’s one-time rating at 9:44 of the third was his 811th purpose after lacking his first recreation of the season Saturday as a result of a lower-body harm.
“I do not wish to say I used to be 100%, however I used to be in a position to play,” stated Ovechkin.
Washington was with out TJ Oshie, who left to be along with his spouse for the start of their fourth little one. And Niklas Backström was a late scratcher with a non-COVID sickness.
Then Tom Wilson got here out within the second interval after blocking a shot and was x-rayed between intervals.
“In the meanwhile, he has an harm in his decrease physique,” stated coach Peter Laviolette.
The Avalanche, who hadn’t trailed throughout the profitable streak, completed Kuemper at 8:57 of the primary when McKinnon absorbed Dmitri Orlov’s large hit and edged Lykonen to attain his fifteenth purpose and sixth in six video games.
Cogliano redirected a Curtis McDiarmid shot 2:04 into the second to make it 2-0. Cherry minimize the deficit in half when he headed in Martin Fairfare’s shot for his twelfth purpose simply over two minutes later.
He broke the cup
It additionally noticed the return of Washington’s Nicholas Op-Coppel, who had 22 factors in 67 video games for the Avs in 2021-22, and be remembered for dropping the trophy whereas celebrating on the ice.
“It is a part of my journey right here,” Aube-Kubel stated with a smile of emotion, including that the season was “the very best time of my life.”
Notes: Avs D Cale Makar (higher physique) skilled on Monday and took part within the morning ski, however missed his fourth consecutive recreation. … Ephesus W. Anton Blidh concessions and skated to the fourth line. … Aliaksei Protas centered on Washington’s third line in his first NHL motion since January 5 and Georgiev stole it within the first interval. … The Capitals have solely 4 video games left outdoors the Jap Time Zone.
subsequent one
Capitals: Host Pittsburgh Thursday night time.
Avalanche: Host Anaheim Thursday night time.
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